Rapper Nelly arrested for alleged rape on tour bus after White River concert

David Rose, Lucas Combos and Associated Press

5 months ago

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 08: Rapper Nelly performs onstage during Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night presented by the Academy of Country Music at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 8, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

AUBURN, Wash. -- Auburn Police arrested Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., professionally known as Nelly, Saturday morning after a woman on his tour bus called authorities claiming she was raped. Nelly performed Friday night at the White River Amphitheatre.

According to a promotional flyer, Nelly was also scheduled to attend a 4-year anniversary party at the Aston Manor nightclub in Seattle later that night.

Officers say Nelly went to Seattle, then returned to his tour bus in Auburn with the woman.

She called 911 shortly after 3:45 a.m. alleging she was sexually assaulted.

A police spokesperson says the tour bus was parked near the Walmart Supercenter on Outlet Collection Way in Auburn.

Officers say they had probable cause to arrest the rapper and he was booked into the SCORE jail in Des Moines for Rape 2nd Degree.

The rapper's attorney denied the claims.

“Nelly is the victim of a completely fabricated allegation,” said attorney Scott Rosenblum in a statement released to Q13 News.

“Our initial investigation clearly establishes this allegation is devoid of credibility and is motivated by greed and vindictiveness. I am confident, once this scurrilous accusation is thoroughly investigated, there will be no charges. Nelly is prepared to address and pursue all legal avenues to redress any damage caused by this clearly false allegation.”

Rosenblum said Saturday afternoon that the singer was released from jail pending the investigation.

Following his release, Nelly took to Twitter and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

A spokesperson for Auburn Police told the Associated Press the singer will have his first appearance before a judge "at some point."

Nelly's next tour stop was slated to be at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Wash., where he was scheduled to perform with Florida Georgia Line and Chris Lane on Saturday night.

The venue initially said Nelly would be there as planned, but a spokesperson later told Q13 News that he would not be part of Saturday's show.